Installing Safety Pedestrian Lines With Epoxy Flooring Contractors

I was contacted by a facility manager in Aberdeen, Maryland.  He was looking to add 1000 linear feet of aisle way lines in his facility.  His facility was already coated, but it did not have any lines or floor markings.

The project is certainly feasible.  But ultimately, this always becomes a question of whether the site manager should install lines or aisle ways.  Lines are easier to install, and require less labor.  So the obvious benefit is that they are more cost-effective compared to aisle ways.

However, if you compare each option’s ability to adhere to the existing floor, aisle ways do have an advantage.  With lines, prep is very minimal.  Typically, the most prep the floors will receive is a good wiping with some rubbing alcohol.  This will remove any dirt and debris that can impair adhesion.  However, that doesn’t open up the concrete pores, or profile the floor like a diamond grinder.  So when installing lines, we use a phenalkamine epoxy, because it has a lower viscosity, which allows it to penetrate deeper into the existing coating.  This is a quality installation, but it will not provide the same level of adhesion as aisle ways.

With aisle ways, you’re offered more room, so you can take a walk-behind planetary grinder, or hand grinders to abrade the floor.  When installing epoxy onto an abraded floor, you can expect a greater bond with the epoxy and floor, than you could with just hand cleaning.

Then, when comparing the the actual installation, aisle ways again have an advantage because you can put more material on the floor.  With aisle ways, you can actually install multiple layers of epoxy, to build a quality system that offers slip-resistant, and great resistant to impacts from fork-lifts and foot traffic.  But when installing lines, you have to put very little material down.  Because the material is not as well adhered as an aisle way, it cannot handle as much material.  Otherwise, it is more likely to chip, crack, and delaminate from the floor.

But, regardless of these considerations, and the superiority of epoxy aisle ways, floor lines still have a cost advantage.  Floor lines can cost anywhere between $3 to $6 per linear foot, depending if you’re installing a top coat, or taping twice for both lines.  But an aisle way, depending on how much material you’re installing, and if you’re installing any lines on those aisle ways, may cost about $12 – $15 per linear foot of aisle way.  So, although lines don’t offer the longevity that aisle ways offer, the definitely do offer a cost effective solution when compared to aisle ways.

PennCoat, Inc. has been providing industrial painting, commercial painting, epoxy flooring, and polished concrete services for nearly 30 years.  Our experienced installers are trained and equipped with the proper knowledge and tools to ensure that every installation is installed efficiently and safely.  PennCoat, Inc. provides service toPennsylvania,New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware.  And we coverYork,Lancaster,Philadelphia,Chester,Montgomery,Baltimore,Harrisburg,Dauphin,Bucks,Berks, and other counties in the surrounding area.

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